Evaluation of anti-hRSV activity from quercetin and its acetylated devivates

Abstract

In the world, it is estimated that there is about 12 million severe cases and 3 million cases of very severe infection of the lower respiratory tract in children. Among the etiologic agents of these infections, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that contributes to the development of several cases of bronchiolitis, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary infections in people of all ages, especially children and the elderly. In these cases, RSV infection results in high morbidity and mortality. Studies of biotechnology and nanotechnology have rapidly advanced in the development of modern systems of detection for RSV. Moreover, despite decades of numerous studies in search of anti-RSV compounds, there are currently no vaccines or effective drugs for this viral infection. Considering the life cycle of RSV there are numerous ways to influence the course of a viral infection: replication, transcription and fusion. Many of these compounds are natural and synthetic (alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids) that act as fusion inhibitors and antisense RNA molecules chemicals. Quercetin is a flavonoid that has various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-anaphylaxis and anti-aging effects. Preliminary studies have shown that quercetin has virucidal action on RSV, besides inhibiting its replication. However, there is no knowledge of how promising is the antiviral activity of quercetin on the RSV virus. The aims of this work is to understand the action of quercetin on the stages of the replicative cycle of RSV. To this end, quercetin will be incubated with permissive cells to RSV infection (Hep-2) in different protocols: pre-and post-treatment, virucidal and phases of viral infection cycle (adhesion, internalization, externalization and replication). Similarly, structurally modified molecules quercetin (acetylated quercetin derivatives) will be tested in order to improve its performance as an antiviral compound. The development of this project will assist in the search for compounds effective in the prevention and / or treatment of RSV infections. (AU)